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Karl R. Josker | all galleries >> Buffalo >> The Bars Of Buffalo > Mulligan's
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08-APR-2004 Karl R. Josker

Mulligan's

1669 Hertel Ave. Buffalo

For awhile, and I'm not sure when, but I'm guessing the seventies to mid-eighties, this was one of the most popular bars in Buffalo. It certainly was the most popular bar I was never in, yes it's true, I was never in there. But I still hear stories and memories from people about the place.

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Guest 04-Oct-2018 23:32
...i am old!...i remember seeing the Allman Bros. perform there! All the girls looked like Cher. There's a whole story about the Gregg/Cher connection to Buffalo, and someone getting shot. Look it up. OH---i have news clips somewhere! I saw Frank Zappa and his Mothers there one night after his show...and Rick James another night...i guess it was the "in" spot to spot the "famous"...no paparazzi in those days!
John P. 15-Oct-2015 21:38
The memories! I remember trying to cross Hertel Avenue at three o'clock, blind drunk, on my way to my car to drive home. You were in more danger of getting killed trying to cross hertel Avenue! We were stupid in those days... but, man! The memories!
Guest 31-Dec-2014 18:33
no pics...just remember my last meat - steak au poive....great food and best bar, best dancin' place in
the whole area...
Guest 15-Oct-2014 20:52
Does anyone have old photos of Mulligan's in the 70s? i'd love to see them...those were the days! please e-mail me at bnb2050@yahoo.com if you've got any !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H0BD2eWIww
Sean 04-Aug-2014 18:30
No mention of "special activities" down in the basement? C'mon, people, partying can't have killed off *all* the brain cells! I was not even close to being a regular, but I do remember seeing some fun stuff downstairs on high school graduation night, 1980.
-Sean
Richard Wolod' 15-Jun-2014 16:39
Enjoyed the comments... But many are wrong. I managed the cafe & night club from 72. -77. Of course Jimmy LaForte was the cafés first cook. I hired Vincent Carriere, who turned out to be pretty brilliant. He instituted lobster Pot...all you could eat on Monday nights. We catered private parties, including dinner for the Rolling Stones at Memorial Aud. They were. Looked by Harvey & Corky...and of course Harvey was & is Harvey Weinstein.. Founder of Miramax & now the Weinstein Company.We had the first dj booth in the city...but don't remember the name of our first dj. I do remember dancing to Steely Dans "Reeing In The Years" . I ordered the liquor, of which Included huge amounts of Boones Farm...which made for some nasty drunks...thank goodness for Jack Koch , Mike McNally, & Phil DeGesare Gordon keeping the peace.
Our waitresses were great...Ann McEllicot, Anne Chambers, and many more whose names I don't remember...after all, it was the mid 70's...and restraint was in no ones vocabulary.
I also started booking bands in the Night Club...the first being Gino Vanelli. Others who played there included Martin Mull & His Living Room Furniture, whose rider stipulated that all short people were to be given front row seats. Jon Luc Ponty was amazing. I remember Little Feat visiting and getting into a fist fight with each other upstairs in our office. I remember Charlie...the worlds best bar back. Some great bartenders..Jimmy Finley comes to mine.
Another little known fact about our group...we all played chess, including Kevin & Michael
..even entering a city tournament.
Regarding Juice...he use to come to my flat on Norwood where we smoked ganja & played chess. I used to kick his ass and he'd get mad...didn't know how dangerous that was!
Also, Bobby Chandler was a wide receiver.
I have many more fond memories...if only I didn't destroy so many brain cells during that time.
Kind thoughts in remembrance of Joe Mantione & Mike Pitello!
Guest 16-Apr-2011 13:34
What great memories of all the VIP's of Buffalo....we should have a reunion of all the regulars. Love ya Johnny, jeff, dale, perla...remember new years around the world??? good thing there were no cell phones back then...lol
Mark R. Harris 18-Aug-2010 03:21
i used to work there as the audio engineer in the night club from 1974 to 1976. i met so many cool people there and heard so much great music, being there at that time influenced me in my music and tastes. what a time it was.
gre8scott14-Aug-2009 04:02
I had the pleasure to work for Michael at this great restaurant/bar from 1981 - 1984 as a server and bartender and party promoter...Mulligan's was IT in Buffalo in the early 80's...best crowds, best DJ's, JT & Buzz were great a the bar in the back room and seeing OJ and Rick James (with Linda Blair) and all the Bills partying in this local joint just was amazing!!!

This place made me fall in love with the restaurant and bar business and lead me to a career in the industry.
jackieh06-Jun-2008 14:12
I celebrated my 18th birthday at Mulligan's. Mike brought out a cake for me with sparklers, December 4, 1973. I met OJ Simpson, Dan Green, and Reggie McKenize all regulars.
Red 07-May-2008 14:41
How fitting ... an antique center because that is what most of us are that used to work/play here. Lots and lots of good times with Buzz, JT, Rich, JVL, Johnny S, Ben, Patti, Raven, Hans, Bobby M, Michael M ... to name a few. Boy, the things woman would do to get into the back room ....I still have a box of tapes from when Perla was the DJ .. who could forget Mulligan's Beach Club or Mickey Rats
Guest 01-Sep-2007 18:28
I only went there a few times, too many limos and posers for my taste. I spent far more time down the street at Checkers, now that was a great neighborhood pub.
Guest 14-Feb-2007 08:28
Wow! Just looked in my photo album and there they are. The pics from the private party that was the Grand Opening of Mulligans II ( as it was known then or New Mulligans) Allthe 'whos whos" of Buffalo Bardom and Sportsdom were there. Here comes OJ geting out of a limo with a blonde on each arm. ( Never mind that wife and 2 kids at home) Had a chat with Bobby Chandler great running back as well as Bruce Jaevis. Michael and Kevin look great in their tuxedos as well as do the Alberts boys. Got pics of so many, don't we look young and beautuful?
NEIL SANDLER 21-Oct-2005 05:57
THIS IS WHERE IT ALL STARTED FOR ME-THANKS JIM LA FORTE FOR HAVING THE DREAM.AND THANKS
FOR BRINGING ME TO SO CAL TO WORK WITH YOU,AND GAVE ME THE VISION TO HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL LIFE!! PS: THE NIGHTCLUB IN THE BACK WAS WHERE YOU WENT FOR THE BEST MAINE LOBSTER ON WEDNESDAYS. I'LL NEVER FORGET CAUSE I WAS THE ONE PULLING THE PLUGS OUT OF THE CLAWS AND STEAMING THOSE BIG BOYS.IT MAY BE GONE BUT MULLIGANS IS WHAT I WILL ALWAYS
SEE WHEN I LOOK AT THIS PIC.
NEIL SANDLER 21-Oct-2005 05:55
THIS IS WHERE IT ALL STARTED FOR ME-THANKS JIM LA FORTE FOR HAVING THE DREAM.AND THANKS
FOR BRINGING ME TO SO CAL TO WORK WITH YOU,AND GAVE ME THE VISION TO HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL LIFE!! PS: THE NIGHTCLUB IN THE BACK WAS WHERE YOU WENT FOR THE BEST MAINE LOBSTER ON WEDNESDAYS. I'LL NEVER FORGET CAUSE I WAS THE ONE PULLING THE PLUGS OUT OF THE CLAWS AND STEAMING THOSE BIG BOYS.
PJBUTTS 11-Jul-2005 18:21
AFTER WORKING THERE FROM START TO FINISH WE HAD SOME OF THE BEST COUSTOMERS IN THE WORLD.EXCLUDING A FEW.(DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSION)
Amir FaSaad 24-Apr-2005 13:26
the 'boys' from studio 54 made this a stop before they opened. OJ was very accessable in those days, as were most of the town's sports/celebrities. If these walls could talk !?!
richard 10-Apr-2004 22:07
Double murderer O. J. hung out there during his Bills days.